Information portal in a contract manufacturing framework

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides for affording an information portal in a contract manufacturing framework. First, a database including a plurality of service provider data structures is provided, wherein each service provider data structure includes a description of a particular service provider, and wherein the database further includes a plurality of links to information. Then, a particular service provider data structure is identified based on request data from a user. A particular link is identified based on the request data. The user is then sent the identified service provider data structure and the identified link. Finally, the user is allowed to obtain additional information utilizing the identified link.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to e-commerce and more particularly tocontract manufacturing utilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability to quickly, easily and efficiently communicate has alwaysbeen a critical component, if not a necessity, for successful businessoperations. Today, as the global economy continues to expand, theability to communicate is even more important. In partial response tothese demands, sophisticated telecommunications equipment has beendeveloped that permits users to quickly and easily place, receive,transfer and switch telephone calls as well as provide advanced featuressuch as call accounting and voice messaging functionality. As thesefeatures have become widely available in local telecommunicationsequipment, such as private branch exchange (PBX) telephone switches,central offices, key and hybrid telephone systems (smalltelecommunications switches), call accounting systems, voice messagingsystems, computer telephony interface (CTI) devices, automatic calldistribution (ACD) devices, internet servers, etc., the demand for andinstallation of these systems has continued to expand. Often, a vastnumber of sites have layered or “integrated” two or more of theaforementioned devices and rarely are these different devices using thesame operating system or of the same brand. More often, these differingdevices include a mixture of operating systems and brands.

Such a mix of advanced telecommunications equipment, however, stilltypically relies upon a significant amount of manual human interactionto install, setup, operate, modify and maintain. Specifically, when anew telephone switch such as a PBX is to be installed at a facility, notonly must the physical equipment itself be installed, but the equipmentmust be configured and programmed to operate as desired by the users ofthe facility. In fact, as more and more advanced features have becomeavailable in the equipment, the burden on the equipment installer toinitially setup and configure these features for the specific needs ofthe end user and the burden on the technician in maintaining andmodifying the equipment, the associated cable records for the equipment,and cable and service activities, has also increased.

When a telephone switch is accompanied by other telecommunicationsequipment, such as voice messaging systems, call accounting systems, CTIdevices, wireless communication servers, or ACD devices, installationinconveniences are still further multiplied. Specifically, many of theseancillary pieces of equipment require additional entry of userinformation that is duplicative of information already entered into themain telephone switching equipment. In such case, not only must atechnician program the main telecommunications switch, but additionaltime (and money) must be spent for programming ancillary equipment withsimilar information. Typically, these systems must be perfectlysynchronized with each other or problems will occur. As a result, thetotal cost of the installation is greatly increased and data entry errorrates are greatly increased.

To further complicate the installation and management of this equipment,each discrete change to one component of a telecommunications systemoften requires additional, similar changes to several other components.Furthermore, these additional changes typically must be done in aspecific order and, since the operating system design of each of thetelecommunications devices often changes from manufacturer tomanufacturer and from device to device, by using an entirely differentcommand structure for each different component. Therefore, when donemanually, a technician must remember different command structures foreach of the devices that require programming and also must remember theorder in which the changes should be made and further may requiredifferent terminals, passwords, procedures, software, etc. Thus, ahighly skilled technician having familiarity with all of the varioustypes of equipment that make up the telecommunications system mustperform these changes, or as is more common, multiple technicians arerequired. Clearly, with even a limited number of devices that requireinstallation, maintenance, or programming, the likelihood of an error isgreatly increased.

Since modern telecommunications equipment provides substantialflexibility in programming to accommodate varying preferences ofdifferent users, it is often necessary to begin the installation of suchequipment by surveying users as to their desires and preferences so thatthese can be accurately reflected through programming of the equipment.This is typically done by distributing a questionnaire to each user toreceive information sufficient to allow the equipment to be properlyconfigured. Thus, not only is there a substantial time commitment neededto review and enter the information received on such questionnaires intothe equipment, but significant effort on the part of each and every useris also required to complete the questionnaires. Typically, collectionof this data and entry of it must wait until the system is installed,while in the present invention described below, this information can bestored externally, checked for omissions, checked for errors orduplications and processed months in advance.

Such disadvantages are particularly highlighted when an outdated PBX orcentral office system is replaced with an improved system, or a changeis made in a present system. In such case each user is typicallysurveyed as to their preferences, as above, and this information ismanually re-entered after installation of the improved PBX or centraloffice system. Thus, since equipment upgrades impact each and every userin a facility, a significant devotion of resources is required. As aresult, the benefits of advanced features provided by improvedtelecommunications equipment often does not outweigh the installationcosts and thus many organizations either do not upgrade their equipment,or delay such upgrades as long as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for affordingan information portal in a contract manufacturing framework. First, adatabase including a plurality of service provider data structures isprovided, wherein each service provider data structure includes adescription of a particular service provider, and wherein the databasefurther includes a plurality of links to information. Then, a particularservice provider data structure is identified based on request data froma user. A particular Link is identified based on the request data. Theuser is then sent the identified service provider data structure and theidentified link. Finally, the user is allowed to obtain additionalinformation utilizing the identified link.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the service provider datastructures may include data concerning contract service providers.Optionally, the service provider data structures may further includedata concerning legal services.

In one aspect of the present invention, the identified link may becapable of being utilized to obtain information concerning patentlicensing. Optionally, the identified link may be capable of beingutilized to obtain information concerning multi-country licensing. Inanother aspect, the database is accessed utilizing a network.Additionally, the network may be the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood when consideration is given tothe following detailed description thereof. Such description makesreference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording a contractmanufacturing framework, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware implementation of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording a matchmakingutility in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a system flow for affording amatchmaking utility in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a web enabled matching system foraffording a matchmaking utility in a contract manufacturing framework,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording supplychain/workflow services in a contract manufacturing framework, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording technicalservices in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording an informationportal in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a web portal system for affording aninformation portal in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method for affording transactionservices in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for affording adiscussion/forum in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an illustrative embodiment of a system for combinedindustry supply management between one or multiple manufacturers and oneor many service providers and/or vendors and/or resellers;

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for a process for affording anetwork-based supply chain framework in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a chart illustrating the relations between benefit areas andcomponents of the e-Commerce Market Space in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the relationship between areas ofcore competence of both operators and manufacturers for creating anenvironment for new business relationships in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates some of the components in the eCommerce Market Spaceand illustrative capabilities of the components;

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart for a methodology for installationmanagement utilizing a network in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart for a process for demand and supplyplanning utilizing a network where information from one or more serviceproviders relating to demand of the service providers is receivedutilizing the network in operation, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart for a methodology for managing orders ina network-based supply chain in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for a process for managing assets in anetwork-based supply chain in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method 100 for affording a contractmanufacturing framework, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. First, in operation 102, a user is matched to a serviceprovider utilizing a database having information on service providers.Then, supply chain/workflow services for services provided by theservice providers is afforded as indicated 104. In operation 106, theuser is then allowed access to technical services concerning servicesprovided by the service providers utilizing the database. Finally,transaction services are provided to the user utilizing a request forproposal mechanism and a nondisclosure agreement mechanism located onthe database. See operation 108.

The present invention provides a virtual marketplace portal offeringvalue-added services tailored for buyers and sellers, such as buyers andsellers of fine chemical contract manufacturing.

One embodiment of the present invention focuses on the pharmaceuticalindustry. This embodiment provides matching of customers of finechemical contract manufacturing services with the optimal suppliers ofthose services, standardized RFP/RFI and related processes, access tosupplier and product information and history, including capabilities,availability, and pricing.

As discussed in greater detail subsequently, the present inventionfurther provides customer rating of supplier capabilities based onhistorical performance, bid/ask capability for multiple supplierresponses, collaboration and project management services for integratingsupplier and customer operations, technical services including processdesign and route optimization, access to related services (i.e.analysis, legal raw materials, regulatory, etc.), and creation of amarketplace community around fine chemical contract manufacturing.

The present invention allows pharmaceutical companies to see the latestindustry thinking, and a summary view of what molecules are currently inthe pipeline for my company and which stage they are in. Further, thepresent invention allows pharmaceutical companies to update dataconcerning any molecule, and initiate an Intellectual Propertyapplication to protect the molecule I just developed.

In use, the present invention is capable of building a database oftrusted CMO's that a pharmaceutical company may have certified ascapable of handling their business, and help them identify a CMO (orgroup of CMO's) to work with their team through the development process.Further, the present invention assist the pharmaceutical company inidentifying testing organizations that meet their testing needs andmanage the process for them.

Additionally, the present invention initiates the paperwork for FDAapproval of the molecule and process, monitor the status for thepharmaceutical company, and helps the pharmaceutical company tounderstand whether it would be beneficial for them to pursueinternational registration of the molecules. (Perform a cost/benefitanalysis). Finally, the present invention assists the pharmaceuticalcompany with registration in the countries they choose, and encapsulatesall of the above in a site, personalized to the pharmaceutical company'smy needs.

For contract manufacturing organizations, the present invention postsinformation concerning the contract manufacturing organization'scapabilities surrounding contract manufacturing (technologies,processes, equipment, etc), and assists the organization in sellingtheir organization to pharmaceutical companies looking for a contractmanufacturer and improve our overall conversion rate from“RFP-to-Contract.”

In addition, the present invention shows contract manufacturingorganization how to most effectively engage in business with thepharmaceutical companies, assists the organization to improve theirsupply chain by providing access to preferred vendors and ultimatelyallowing them to procure through the site.

Additionally, the present invention assists contract manufacturingorganizations in forecasting and inventory management, provides a toolfor them to monitor all the RFP's in the pipeline, and assists themmanage the projects they have going on with multiple pharmaceuticalcompanies.

A preferred embodiment of a system in accordance with the presentinvention is preferably practiced in the context of a personal computersuch as an IBM compatible personal computer, Apple Macintosh computer orUNIX based workstation. A representative hardware environment isdepicted in FIG. 2, which illustrates a typical hardware configurationof a workstation in accordance with a preferred embodiment having acentral processing unit 210, such as a microprocessor, and a number ofother units interconnected via a system bus 212. The workstation shownin FIG. 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, Read Only Memory(ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such asdisk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a user interface adapter 222 forconnecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232,and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown)to the bus 212, communication adapter 234 for connecting the workstationto a communication network (e.g., a data processing network) and adisplay adapter 236 for connecting the bus 212 to a display device 238.The workstation typically has resident thereon an operating system suchas the Microsoft Windows NT or Windows/95 Operating System (OS), the IBMOS/2 operating system, the MAC OS, or UNIX operating system. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may alsobe implemented on platforms and operating systems other than thosementioned.

A preferred embodiment is written using JAVA, C, and the C++ languageand utilizes object oriented programming methodology. Object orientedprogramming (OOP) has become increasingly used to develop complexapplications. As OOP moves toward the mainstream of software design anddevelopment, various software solutions require adaptation to make useof the benefits of OOP. A need exists for these principles of OOP to beapplied to a messaging interface of an electronic messaging system suchthat a set of OOP classes and objects for the messaging interface can beprovided.

OOP is a process of developing computer software using objects,including the steps of analyzing the problem, designing the system, andconstructing the program. An object is a software package that containsboth data and a collection of related structures and procedures. Sinceit contains both data and a collection of structures and procedures, itcan be visualized as a self-sufficient component that does not requireother additional structures, procedures or data to perform its specifictask. OOP, therefore, views a computer program as a collection oflargely autonomous components, called objects, each of which isresponsible for a specific task. This concept of packaging data,structures, and procedures together in one component or module is calledencapsulation.

In general, OOP components are reusable software modules which presentan interface that conforms to an object model and which are accessed atrun-time through a component integration architecture. A componentintegration architecture is a set of architecture mechanisms which allowsoftware modules in different process spaces to utilize each otherscapabilities or functions. This is generally done by assuming a commoncomponent object model on which to build the architecture. It isworthwhile to differentiate between an object and a class of objects atthis point. An object is a single instance of the class of objects,which is often just called a class. A class of objects can be viewed asa blueprint, from which many objects can be formed.

OOP allows the programmer to create an object that is a part of anotherobject. For example, the object representing a piston engine is said tohave a composition-relationship with the object representing a piston.In reality, a piston engine comprises a piston, valves and many othercomponents; the fact that a piston is an element of a piston engine canbe logically and semantically represented in OOP by two objects.

OOP also allows creation of an object that “depends from” anotherobject. If there are two objects, one representing a piston engine andthe other representing a piston engine wherein the piston is made ofceramic, then the relationship between the two objects is not that ofcomposition. A ceramic piston engine does not make up a piston engine.Rather it is merely one kind of piston engine that has one morelimitation than the piston engine; its piston is made of ceramic. Inthis case, the object representing the ceramic piston engine is called aderived object, and it inherits all of the aspects of the objectrepresenting the piston engine and adds further limitation or detail toit. The object representing the ceramic piston engine “depends from” theobject representing the piston engine. The relationship between theseobjects is called inheritance.

When the object or class representing the ceramic piston engine inheritsall of the aspects of the objects representing the piston engine, itinherits the thermal characteristics of a standard piston defined in thepiston engine class. However, the ceramic piston engine object overridesthese ceramic specific thermal characteristics, which are typicallydifferent from those associated with a metal piston. It skips over theoriginal and uses new functions related to ceramic pistons. Differentkinds of piston engines have different characteristics, but may have thesame underlying functions associated with it (e.g., how many pistons inthe engine, ignition sequences, lubrication, etc.). To access each ofthese functions in any piston engine object, a programmer would call thesame functions with the same names, but each type of piston engine mayhave different/overriding implementations of functions behind the samename. This ability to hide different implementations of a functionbehind the same name is called polymorphism and it greatly simplifiescommunication among objects.

With the concepts of composition-relationship, encapsulation,inheritance and polymorphism, an object can represent just aboutanything in the real world. In fact, one's logical perception of thereality is the only limit on determining the kinds of things that canbecome objects in object-oriented software. Some typical categories areas follows:

-   -   Objects can represent physical objects, such as automobiles in a        traffic-flow simulation, electrical components in a        circuit-design program, countries in an economics model, or        aircraft in an air-traffic-control system.    -   Objects can represent elements of the computer-user environment        such as windows, menus or graphics objects.    -   An object can represent an inventory, such as a personnel file        or a table of the latitudes and longitudes of cities.    -   An object can represent user-defined data types such as time,        angles, and complex numbers, or points on the plane.

With this enormous capability of an object to represent just about anylogically separable matters, OOP allows the software developer to designand implement a computer program that is a model of some aspects ofreality, whether that reality is a physical entity, a process, a system,or a composition of matter. Since the object can represent anything, thesoftware developer can create an object which can be used as a componentin a larger software project in the future.

If 90% of a new OOP software program consists of proven, existingcomponents made from preexisting reusable objects, then only theremaining 10% of the new software project has to be written and testedfrom scratch. Since 90% already came from an inventory of extensivelytested reusable objects, the potential domain from which an error couldoriginate is 10% of the program. As a result, OOP enables softwaredevelopers to build objects out of other, previously built objects.

This process closely resembles complex machinery being built out ofassemblies and sub-assemblies. OOP technology, therefore, makes softwareengineering more like hardware engineering in that software is builtfrom existing components, which are available to the developer asobjects. All this adds up to an improved quality of the software as wellas an increased speed of its development.

Programming languages are beginning to fully support the OOP principles,such as encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, andcomposition-relationship. With the advent of the C++ language, manycommercial software developers have embraced OOP. C++ is an OOP languagethat offers a fast, machine-executable code. Furthermore, C++ issuitable for both commercial-application and systems-programmingprojects. For now, C++ appears to be the most popular choice among manyOOP programmers, but there is a host of other OOP languages, such asSmalltalk, Common Lisp Object System (CLOS), and Eiffel. Additionally,OOP capabilities are being added to more traditional popular computerprogramming languages such as Pascal.

The benefits of object classes can be summarized, as follows:

-   -   Objects and their corresponding classes break down complex        programming problems into many smaller, simpler problems.    -   Encapsulation enforces data abstraction through the organization        of data into small, independent objects that can communicate        with each other. Encapsulation protects the data in an object        from accidental damage, but allows other objects to interact        with that data by calling the object's member functions and        structures.    -   Subclassing and inheritance make it possible to extend and        modify objects through deriving new kinds of objects from the        standard classes available in the system. Thus, new capabilities        are created without having to start from scratch.    -   Polymorphism and multiple inheritance make it possible for        different programmers to mix and match characteristics of many        different classes and create specialized objects that can still        work with related objects in predictable ways.    -   Class hierarchies and containment hierarchies provide a flexible        mechanism for modeling real-world objects and the relationships        among them.    -   Libraries of reusable classes are useful in many situations, but        they also have some limitations. For example:    -   Complexity. In a complex system, the class hierarchies for        related classes can become extremely confusing, with many dozens        or even hundreds of classes.    -   Flow of control. A program written with the aid of class        libraries is still responsible for the flow of control (i.e., it        must control the interactions among all the objects created from        a particular library). The programmer has to decide which        functions to call at what times for which kinds of objects.    -   Duplication of effort. Although class libraries allow        programmers to use and reuse many small pieces of code, each        programmer puts those pieces together in a different way. Two        different programmers can use the same set of class libraries to        write two programs that do exactly the same thing but whose        internal structure (i.e., design) may be quite different,        depending on hundreds of small decisions each programmer makes        along the way. Inevitably, similar pieces of code end up doing        similar things in slightly different ways and do not work as        well together as they should.

Class libraries are very flexible. As programs grow more complex, moreprogrammers are forced to reinvent basic solutions to basic problemsover and over again. A relatively new extension of the class libraryconcept is to have a framework of class libraries. This framework ismore complex and consists of significant collections of collaboratingclasses that capture both the small scale patterns and major mechanismsthat implement the common requirements and design in a specificapplication domain. They were first developed to free applicationprogrammers from the chores involved in displaying menus, windows,dialog boxes, and other standard user interface elements for personalcomputers.

Frameworks also represent a change in the way programmers think aboutthe interaction between the code they write and code written by others.In the early days of procedural programming, the programmer calledlibraries provided by the operating system to perform certain tasks, butbasically the program executed down the page from start to finish, andthe programmer was solely responsible for the flow of control. This wasappropriate for printing out paychecks, calculating a mathematicaltable, or solving other problems with a program that executed in justone way.

The development of graphical user interfaces began to turn thisprocedural programming arrangement inside out. These interfaces allowthe user, rather than program logic, to drive the program and decidewhen certain actions should be performed. Today, most personal computersoftware accomplishes this by means of an event loop which monitors themouse, keyboard, and other sources of external events and calls theappropriate parts of the programmer's code according to actions that theuser performs. The programmer no longer determines the order in whichevents occur. Instead, a program is divided into separate pieces thatare called at unpredictable times and in an unpredictable order. Byrelinquishing control in this way to users, the developer creates aprogram that is much easier to use. Nevertheless, individual pieces ofthe program written by the developer still call libraries provided bythe operating system to accomplish certain tasks, and the programmermust still determine the flow of control within each piece after it'scalled by the event loop. Application code still “sits on top of” thesystem.

Even event loop programs require programmers to write a lot of code thatshould not need to be written separately for every application. Theconcept of an application framework carries the event loop conceptfurther. Instead of dealing with all the nuts and bolts of constructingbasic menus, windows, and dialog boxes and then making these things allwork together, programmers using application frameworks start withworking application code and basic user interface elements in place.Subsequently, they build from there by replacing some of the genericcapabilities of the framework with the specific capabilities of theintended application.

Application frameworks reduce the total amount of code that a programmerhas to write from scratch. However, because the framework is really ageneric application that displays windows, supports copy and paste, andso on, the programmer can also relinquish control to a greater degreethan event loop programs permit. The framework code takes care of almostall event handling and flow of control, and the programmer's code iscalled only when the framework needs it (e.g., to create or manipulate aproprietary data structure).

A programmer writing a framework program not only relinquishes controlto the user (as is also true for event loop programs), but alsorelinquishes the detailed flow of control within the program to theframework. This approach allows the creation of more complex systemsthat work together in interesting ways, as opposed to isolated programs,having custom code, being created over and over again for similarproblems.

Thus, as is explained above, a framework basically is a collection ofcooperating classes that make up a reusable design solution for a givenproblem domain. It typically includes objects that provide defaultbehavior (e.g., for menus and windows), and programmers use it byinheriting some of that default behavior and overriding other behaviorso that the framework calls application code at the appropriate times.

There are three main differences between frameworks and class libraries:

-   -   Behavior versus protocol. Class libraries are essentially        collections of behaviors that you can call when you want those        individual behaviors in your program. A framework, on the other        hand, provides not only behavior but also the protocol or set of        rules that govern the ways in which behaviors can be combined,        including rules for what a programmer is supposed to provide        versus what the framework provides.    -   Call versus override. With a class library, the code the        programmer instantiates objects and calls their member        functions. It's possible to instantiate and call objects in the        same way with a framework (i.e., to treat the framework as a        class library), but to take full advantage of a framework's        reusable design, a programmer typically writes code that        overrides and is called by the framework. The framework manages        the flow of control among its objects. Writing a program        involves dividing responsibilities among the various pieces of        software that are called by the framework rather than specifying        how the different pieces should work together.    -   Implementation versus design. With class libraries, programmers        reuse only implementations, whereas with frameworks, they reuse        design. A framework embodies the way a family of related        programs or pieces of software work. It represents a generic        design solution that can be adapted to a variety of specific        problems in a given domain. For example, a single framework can        embody the way a user interface works, even though two different        user interfaces created with the same framework might solve        quite different interface problems.

Thus, through the development of frameworks for solutions to variousproblems and programming tasks, significant reductions in the design anddevelopment effort for software can be achieved. A preferred embodimentof the invention utilizes HyperText Markup Language (HTML) to implementdocuments on the Internet together with a general-purpose securecommunication protocol for a transport medium between the client and theNewco. HTTP or other protocols could be readily substituted for HTMLwithout undue experimentation. Information on these products isavailable in T. Berners-Lee, D. Connoly, “RFC 1866: Hypertext MarkupLanguage-2.0” (November 1995); and R. Fielding, H, Frystyk, T.Berners-Lee, J. Gettys and J. C. Mogul, “Hypertext TransferProtocol—HTTP/1.1: HTTP Working Group Internet Draft” (May 2, 1996).HTML is a simple data format used to create hypertext documents that areportable from one platform to another. HTML documents are SGML documentswith generic semantics that are appropriate for representing informationfrom a wide range of domains. HTML has been in use by the World-Wide Webglobal information initiative since 1990. HTML is an application of ISOStandard 8879; 1986 Information Processing Text and Office Systems;Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).

To date, Web development tools have been limited in their ability tocreate dynamic Web applications which span from client to server andinteroperate with existing computing resources. Until recently, HTML hasbeen the dominant technology used in development of Web-based solutions.However, HTML has proven to be inadequate in the following areas:

-   -   Poor performance;    -   Restricted user interface capabilities;    -   Can only produce static Web pages;    -   Lack of interoperability with existing applications and data;        and    -   Inability to scale.

Sun Microsystem's Java language solves many of the client-side problemsby:

-   -   Improving performance on the client side;    -   Enabling the creation of dynamic, real-time Web applications;        and    -   Providing the ability to create a wide variety of user interface        components.

With Java, developers can create robust User Interface (UI) components.Custom “widgets” (e.g., real-time stock tickers, animated icons, etc.)can be created, and client-side performance is improved. Unlike HTML,Java supports the notion of client-side validation, offloadingappropriate processing onto the client for improved performance.Dynamic, real-time Web pages can be created. Using the above-mentionedcustom UI components, dynamic Web pages can also be created.

Sun's Java language has emerged as an industry-recognized language for“programming the Internet.” Sun defines Java as: “a simple,object-oriented, distributed, interpreted, robust, secure,architecture-neutral, portable, high-performance, multithreaded,dynamic, buzzword-compliant, general-purpose programming language. Javasupports programming for the Internet in the form ofplatform-independent Java applets.” Java applets are small, specializedapplications that comply with Sun's Java Application ProgrammingInterface (API) allowing developers to add “interactive content” to Webdocuments (e.g., simple animations, page adornments, basic games, etc.).Applets execute within a Java-compatible browser (e.g., NetscapeNavigator) by copying code from the server to client. From a languagestandpoint, Java's core feature set is based on C++. Sun's Javaliterature states that Java is basically, “C++ with extensions fromObjective C for more dynamic method resolution.”

Another technology that provides similar function to JAVA is provided byMicrosoft and ActiveX Technologies, to give developers and Web designerswherewithal to build dynamic content for the Internet and personalcomputers. ActiveX includes tools for developing animation, 3-D virtualreality, video and other multimedia content. The tools use Internetstandards, work on multiple platforms, and are being supported by over100 companies. The group's building blocks are called ActiveX Controls,small, fast components that enable developers to embed parts of softwarein hypertext markup language (HTML) pages. ActiveX Controls work with avariety of programming languages including Microsoft Visual C++, BorlandDelphi, Microsoft Visual Basic programming system and, in the future,Microsoft's development tool for Java, code named “Jakarta.” ActiveXTechnologies also includes ActiveX Server Framework, allowing developersto create server applications. One of ordinary skill in the art readilyrecognizes that ActiveX could be substituted for JAVA without undueexperimentation to practice the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for affording amatchmaking utility in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. First, in operation 302, adatabase including a plurality of service provider data structures isprovided, wherein each service provider data structure includes adescription of a particular service provider. Then, in operation 304,request data concerning a desired service is received from a user. Thedatabase is then queried using the request data. A particular serviceprovider data structure is then identified based on the request data.See operation 306. Finally, the user is sent the identified serviceprovider data structure as indicated in operation 308.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the service provider datastructures may include data concerning contract service providers.Optionally, the service provider data structures may further includedata concerning legal services.

In an aspect of the present invention, the request data may include dataconcerning pharmaceuticals. In another aspect, the database may beaccessed utilizing a network. Optionally, the network may be theInternet.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a system flow 400 for affording amatchmaking utility in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. The system flow 400includes a matchmaking utility 402, pharmaceutical companies 404, andcontract manufacturing organizations 406.

In use, pharmaceutical companies 404 search for contract manufacturingorganizations 406 utilizing the matchmaking utility 402 of the presentinvention. As discussed in greater detail subsequently, the matchmakingutility 402 streamlines the process of finding, qualifying, selecting,and contracting with contract manufacturing organizations 406.

For the pharmaceutical companies 404 the streamlined process providedfrom the present invention allow increased revenues due to faster timeto market for their products. In addition, the present invention allowspharmaceutical companies 404 access to a larger pool of contractmanufacturing organizations 406, provides lower procurement costs, andlower ongoing operating costs.

For the contract manufacturing organizations 406, the present inventionprovides increased sales leads and project requests. In addition, thepresent invention provides lower business development costs, andincreased revenues.

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a web enabled matching system 500 foraffording a matchmaking utility in a contract manufacturing framework,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The webenabled matching system 500 includes a user interface 502, a datacollection and analysis backend 504, and a system database 506. Thesystem database 506 preferably includes a contracts database 508, anindustry database 510, a benchmarking database 512, and other databasedatabases 514 as required for a particular system.

In use, the web enabled matching system 500 receives inquires 518 fromusers 516, such as pharmaceutical companies. Typically, these inquiries518 are received via a network, such as the Internet, utilizing the userinterface 502. The user interface 502 then provides the receivedinquires 518 to the data collection and analysis backend 504. The datacollection and analysis backend 504 then processes the inquiry 518utilizing the system database 506. Depending on the type of inquiry 518received, a particular database, such as the contracts database 508 orindustry data 510, is utilized to process the inquiry 518.

After processing, the data collection and analysis backend 504 generatesa report 520. The report 520 is then made available to the user 516utilizing the user interface 502. Advantageously, the present inventionmay be utilized to assist sales departments, operations departments,research and development departments, and procurement departments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for affording supplychain/workflow services in a contract manufacturing framework, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First, inoperation 602, a database including a plurality of service provider datastructures is provided, wherein each service provider data structureincludes a description of a particular service provider, and wherein thedatabase further includes a request for proposal mechanism. Next, inoperation 604, a particular service provider data structure isidentified based on a request for proposal from a user utilizing therequest for proposal mechanism. Finally, project management services areafforded to the user based on the request for proposal and theidentified service provider data structure. See operation 606.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a status of manufacturingprocesses performed by the identified service provider may be tracked.Optionally, the user may be allowed to inquiry service engineers. Alsooptionally, the user may be allowed to inquiry service chemists.

In one aspect of the present invention, the database may be accessedutilizing a network. Optionally, wherein the network may be theInternet.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 for affording technicalservices in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anaspect of the present invention. First, in operation 702, a databaseincluding a plurality of service provider data structures is provided,wherein each service provider data structure includes a description of aparticular service provider. Then, the database is queried using requestdata from a user as indicated in operation 704. A particular serviceprovider data structure is then identified based on the request data inoperation 706, wherein the particular service provider data structureincludes information concerning process design services. Finally, theuser is sent information concerning process design services utilizingthe identified service provider data structure. See operation 708.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the identified serviceprovider data structure may include information concerning optimizationservices. In another embodiment, the identified service provider datastructure may include information concerning technical experts availablefor consultation.

In one aspect of the present invention, the technical experts availablefor consultation may include engineering consultation services. Inanother aspect, the database may be accessed utilizing a network.Optionally, the network may be the Internet.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for affording aninformation portal in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. First, in operation 802, adatabase including a plurality of service provider data structures isprovided, wherein each service provider data structure includes adescription of a particular service provider, and wherein the databasefurther includes a plurality of links to information. Then, in operation804, a particular service provider data structure is identified based onrequest data from a user. A particular link is identified based on therequest data as indicated in operation 806. In operation 808, the useris then sent the identified service provider data structure and theidentified link. Finally, the user is allowed to obtain additionalinformation utilizing the identified link. See operation 810.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the service provider datastructures may include data concerning contract service providers.Optionally, the service provider data structures may further includedata concerning legal services.

In one aspect of the present invention, the identified link may becapable of being utilized to obtain information concerning patentlicensing. Optionally, the identified link may be capable of beingutilized to obtain information concerning multi-country licensing. Inanother aspect, the database is accessed utilizing a network.Additionally, the network may be the Internet.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a web portal system 900 for affordingan information portal in a contract manufacturing framework, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The web portalsystem 900 includes a vender selection subsystem 902, a contractmanagement subsystem 904, and a contracts review subsystem 906.

In operation, the web portal system 900 provides venders to potentialusers utilizing the vender selection subsystem 902. For example, apharmaceutical company user may utilize the vender selection subsystem902 to obtain information on contract manufacturing organizations todevelop select products.

The present invention also provides users with contract management viathe contract management subsystem 904. The contract management subsystem904 provides management for various projects 908 that a particularvender may be performing for the user. Finally, the present inventionprovides contract review utilizing the contracts review subsystem 906.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method 1000 for affording transactionservices in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. First, in operation 1002, a requestfor proposal mechanism and an nondisclosure agreement mechanism areprovided. Then, in operation 1004, a request for proposal is createdutilizing the request for proposal mechanism. The request for proposalis then routed utilizing the request for proposal mechanism. Seeoperation 1006. Next, in operation 1008, nondisclosure agreement data isreceived. Finally, the nondisclosure agreement data is catalogedutilizing the nondisclosure agreement mechanism as indicated inoperation 1010.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the nondisclosure agreementdata may be sent utilizing the nondisclosure agreement mechanism. Inanother embodiment, the created request for proposal may be a productrequest for proposal.

In one aspect of the present invention, the created request for proposalmay be a services request for proposal. In another aspect, the databasemay be accessed utilizing a network. Optionally, the network may be theInternet.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for affording adiscussion/forum in a contract manufacturing framework, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. First, in operation 1102, adatabase including a plurality of service provider data structures isprovided, wherein each service provider data structure includes adescription of a particular service provider, and wherein the databasefurther includes a plurality of data structures for text messages. Then,the database is queried using the request data from a user, in operation1104. A particular service provider data structure is then identifiedbased on the request data. See operation 1106. Next, in operation 1108,a user is allowed to post a message on the database utilizing theplurality of data structures for text messages. Finally, messagesincluded in the plurality of data structures for text messages areoutputted as indicated in operation 1110.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a user may be allowed topersonalize a website stored on the database. In another embodiment, atleast one message located on the database includes informationconcerning a trade show. Optionally, the service provider datastructures may include data concerning contract service providers.

In one aspect of the present invention, the database may accessedutilizing a network. Optionally, the network may the Internet.

The present invention may be utilized for many different types ofindustries in addition to the pharmaceuticals industry. For example, thepresent invention is ideal for an eSupply chain model, as discussed ingreater detail subsequently.

eSupply Chain Model

FIG. 12 illustrates an illustrative embodiment of a system 1200 forcombined industry supply management between one or multiplemanufacturers 1202 and one or many service providers 1204 and/or vendorsand/or resellers, etc. For clarity, the majority of the followingdiscussion will discuss service providers, but it should be kept in mindthat the present invention will operate equally well with vendors,resellers, etc.

In more detail, the present invention manages the supply chain betweenthe manufacturer(s) and service provider(s). The industry supplymanagement is centralized in an eCommerce Market Space 1206, whichincludes components that manage end-to-end supply chain information suchas demand planning, order fulfillment, scheduling, inventory, etc. Inembodiments of the present invention in which multiple manufacturers andservice providers participate, some of the benefits of the presentinvention include: economies of scale are enabled, rationalization ofprocurement and inventory, rationalization of distribution and logisticsfacilities, and facilitation of the development of an industry-widestandard. More benefits will be set forth below in the discussion ofFIG. 14.

Preferably, the group of manufacturers of such a system each has acommon logistics profile and limitations. The manufacturers may focus onproduction core competence and would also be responsible for strategicand tactical optimization of network assets.

Also preferably, the group of service providers have common networkprofiles. The service providers may focus on customers, new businessesand channels, etc. Further, under the system of the present invention,the service providers would be allowed to migrate from operations focusto strategic technology and market management.

The components may include some or all of an installation managementcomponent 1208, a demand and supply component 1210, an order managementcomponent 1212, a network asset management component 1214, a maintenanceand service component 1216, a procurement and recovered inventorycomponent 1218, and/or a distribution and logistics component 1220.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for a process 1300 for affording anetwork-based supply chain framework in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Installation of a service is managed utilizing anetwork in operation 1302. Demand and supply of manufacturer offeringsare planned utilizing the network in operation 1304 and orders for themanufacturer offerings are also managed utilizing the network inoperation 1306. The network is also utilized to manage network assetsincluding providing maintenance and service for the network assetsutilizing the network (see operations 1308 and 1310).

Benefit Areas

FIG. 14 is a chart 1400 illustrating the relations between benefit areasand components of the e-Commerce Market Space in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The benefit areas include a revenueenhancement benefit area 1402, a cost reduction benefit area 1404, and acapital reduction benefit area 1406.

Each benefit area includes a number of associated benefits. Illustrativebenefits associated with revenue enhancement 1402 include: (a) fastertime to site integration; (b) better on-line network performance; (c)rapid integration of acquisition; and (d) faster order to cash.Illustrative benefits associated with cost reduction 1404 include: (a)duplication reduction; (b) distribution facility rationalization; (c)procurement rationalization; (d) simplified processes; and (e)transportation rationalization. Illustrative benefits associated withcapital reduction 1406 include: (a) reduced inventories; and (b)manufacturing capacity utilization.

FIG. 14 also includes a plurality of columns for various components ofthe present invention. These columns may include an InstallationManagement component column 1408, a Demand and Supply Planning componentcolumn 1410, an Order Management component column 1412, a Network AssetManagement component column 1414, and a Maintenance and Servicecomponent column 1416.

Displayed under each column in FIG. 14 are rectangular boxes that eachhave either a “SP” or a “M” displayed inside them. The “SP” boxesindicate that a particular benefit for that particular component may beattributed to a service provider. The “M” boxes indicate that aparticular benefit for that particular component may be attributed to amanufacturer.

As an example, in an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,the Installation Management component, may include the followingbenefits to the service provider by looking at FIG. 14 in closer detail:faster time to site integration, rapid integration of acquisition,duplication reduction, procurement rationalization, transportationrationalization, and reduced inventories. In this illustrativeembodiment, the Installation Management component may also include thefollowing benefits to the manufacturer: duplication reduction,procurement rationalization, transportation rationalization, and reducedinventories.

With continuing reference to FIG. 14, in this illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, benefits for the service provider under theDemand and Supply Planning component may include the following: rapidintegration of acquisition, duplication reduction, distribution facilityrationalization, procurement rationalization, reduced inventories, andmanufacturing capacity utilization. Further, benefits for themanufacturer under the Demand and Supply Planning component in thisillustrative embodiment of the present invention may include thefollowing: duplication reduction, distribution facility rationalization,reduced inventories, and manufacturing capacity utilization.

With regards to the Order Management component for this illustrativeembodiment, benefits for the service provider may include the following(as illustrated in FIG. 14): duplication reduction, and procurementrationalization. Benefits for the manufacturer under the OrderManagement component in this illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention may include: faster order to cash, duplication reduction,simplified processes, and manufacturing capacity utilization.

Turning now to the Network Asset Management component column, benefitsfor the service provider for the Network Asset Management component mayinclude: better on-line network performance, rapid integration ofacquisition, and simplified processes.

Lastly, in this illustrative embodiment of the present invention,benefits for the service provider under the Maintenance and Servicecomponent may include: better on-line network performance, anddistribution facility rationalization. Benefits for the manufacturerunder the Maintenance and Service component may include: duplicationreduction, and distribution facility rationalization.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the relationship between areas ofcore competence of both operators and manufacturers for creating anenvironment for new business relationships in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In such an embodiment, corecompetencies of a service provider 1502 may include: new customeracquisitions, new customer segmentation strategy, technology life cyclemanagement, and new service offerings. Core competencies of amanufacturer 1504 may include: focus on managing the customerrelationship, focus on managing production capacity, focus on researchand development (“R&D”), and focus on market coverage roll out. In suchan embodiment, the network may be planned based on a capability, such ascapacity and features. Availability of sites may be synchronized withthe network roll out and network assets may be jointly optimized.

With continuing reference to FIG. 15, the creating of an environment fornew business relationships with respect to the service provider 1506provides an open access channel for new service offerings from themanufacturer so that focus may be moved on a platform release strategyin line with service offerings. The environment for new businessrelationships with respect to the manufacturer 1508 may allows for thegaining of the potential to reposition the network as a platform fortheir solutions pipeline where the ability for the manufacturer to buildstrategic alliances with solution integrators becomes a criticaldifferentiator.

FIG. 16 illustrates some of the components in the eCommerce Market Spaceand illustrative capabilities of the components.

Installation Management 1208

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart for a methodology 1700 for installationmanagement utilizing a network in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In operation 1702, information is received from atleast one service provider utilizing a network. This informationincludes information relating to the service provided by the serviceprovider. Also received utilizing the network is information from atleast one manufacturer in operation 1704. This information includesinformation relating to manufacturer offerings. The service is matchedin operation 1706 to the manufacturer offerings and the service andmanufacturer offerings information are utilized to manage installationsin operation 1708.

In an embodiment of the present invention, collaboration between thematched service provider and the manufacturer may also be managed. Insuch an embodiment, the management of collaboration may includefacilitating the transmitting of information between the matched serviceprovider and the manufacturer utilizing the network. In an aspect ofthis embodiment, a collaborative planning tool may be provided formanaging the collaboration between the matched service provider and themanufacturer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, milestone based projectplanning may be facilitated between the matched service provider and themanufacturer. In a further embodiment, the manufacturer offerings of thematched manufacturer may be displayed to the matched service providerand services provided by the matched service provider may be displayedto the matched manufacturer utilizing the network.

In an aspect of the present invention, the information of themanufacturer may include information relating to the availability of themanufacturer offerings. In such an aspect, the service provider may benotified of the availability of the manufacturer offerings that matchthe service installation information.

In one example of the present invention particularly applicable toinstallation of communication lines between telecommunications providersand their suppliers, a method is provided for use in cooperation with acomputer having memory in a Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) forgenerating an optimized transition plan for the placement ofSelf-Healing Rings (SHR) and the routing of point-to-point demand inaccordance with projected customer demand over a selected multi-periodtime interval.

SONET is both a standard and a set of specifications for building highspeed, digital communications networks that run over fiberoptic cableswhile interfacing with existing electrical protocols and asynchronoustransmission equipment. Fiberoptics has revolutionizedtelecommunications in view of the large bandwidth availability(currently estimated in the hundreds of gigabits per second) whichcontinues to increase with technological advances such as wave-divisionmultiplexing and similar developments in light polarization anddispersion-shifted fibers.

As those skilled in the art will recognize, SONET specifies a digitalhierarchy based on Optical Carrier (OC) rather than electrical levels.SONET does define Synchronous Transport Signals (STS), however, whichare electrical interfaces used as the multiplexing mechanisms withinSONET Network Elements (NE). Network elements combine STS-1s as neededup to STS-N where N is the number of STS-1s, then convert the totalelectrical multiplex to an optical carrier and transmit it over opticalfiber. SONET is multiplexed at the byte level, allowing services to bedynamically placed into the broadband STS for transport. The basic SONETof 64 Kbps per byte is the same speed as the conceptual voice channelDSO allowing SONET to easily integrate all currently used digitalservices into the optical hierarchy.

One of the principal benefits of SONET is that it allows for the directmultiplexing of current network services, such as DS1, DS1C, DS2, andDS3 into the synchronous payload of STS-1. As those skilled in the artwill recognize, the above rates, as in the case of most defined rates,were developed based on existing transmission systems. For example, theDS1 and DS2 signal rates (1.544 million bits per second and 6.312million bits per second) are the transmission rates of the T1 and T2wire pair carrier systems. Initially, one multiplexer, called an M12,was used to combined four DS1 channels into a DS2, and a secondmultiplexer, called an M23, was used to combine seven DS2 channels intoa DS3. Presently, most networks use a single multiplexer termed an M13,which combines twenty-eight DS1 channels into a DS3. Of course, one ofthe key attributes of these previous multiplexer designs is that theypermit DS1 signals to be timed independently, i.e. asynchronousmultiplexing. Bits can therefore be sent at different transmission ratesbecause individual channels need not be synchronized to a common timingsource.

The asynchronous DS3 multiplexing standard was implemented in the dayswhen most networks utilized analog technology and the few digitalsystems in existence generated their own clocking systems.Significantly, the transmission specifications for DS1 signals specifythat the bit rate is 1.544 million bits per second, plus or minus 75bps. To compensate for this range, additional bits must therefore be“stuffed” into each DS1 signal before they are multiplexed to a higherrate. Again, as those skilled in the art will recognize, while bitstuffing supports independently clocked input signals, it also makes itnearly impossible to locate individual DS1 or DSO channels within a DS3bit stream. To extract a single channel, a DS3 signal would need tofirst be demultiplexed through M13 components into twenty-eight DS1sbefore the channels could be switched or rearranged. As a result, theprocess of adding or deleting channels is expensive.

In contrast to asynchronous multiplexing, the SONET standard defines aviable alternative which supports greater capacity and efficiency. Inthe SONET multiplexing format, the basic signal transmissionrate—STS-1—operates at 51.84 million bits per second. AN STS-1 can carry28 DS1 signals or one asynchronous DS3. STS-1 signals are thenmultiplexed to produce higher bit rates—STS-2, STS-3, etc. As referencedabove, the other term used to define the SONET signal levels is opticalcarrier. The bit rates are the same in each case, so the bit rate of theSTS-1 equals the bit rate of the OC-1. The only difference is the typeof signal that is being referenced. For example, if the signal is in anelectrical format, it is referred to as an STS. Similarly, if the signalis in an optical format—compatible with a fiber medium—it is referred toas an OC.

The SONET standards define an alternative to asynchronous DS3multiplexing, which describes how to divided STS signals into lowerspeed increments, i.e. virtual tributaries. The major advantage ofsynchronous multiplexing is that when DS1 and other low-speed channelsare multiplexed directly into the STS format, the lower speed channelscan be identified and reconfigured for drop-and-insert. As a result, thedrop-and-insert process can be done simpler with less expense ofhardware then the back-to-back M13 multiplexers used in asynchronousmultiplexing.

Because of the large bandwidth availability in fiber, and the growingvolume of data traffic, disruptions from link and node failures due tocable cuts, for example, become increasingly serious. Networksurvivability has therefore become a major concern for SONET designersand has fueled interest in what is known in the art as “ring”architectures. Such architectures take advantage of the capabilityprovided by synchronous multiplexing in SONET to eliminate the need tobackhaul traffic to central hubs. Thus, at each switching office, theSONET transport node directly accesses the required time slots in thebit stream through the use of modified Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADM). TheSONET ring topology permits the creation of highly survivable networkswhich are viewed in the communications industry as essential forobtaining business for critical data communications.

In most cases, the deployment of SONET rings results in cost savingssince it is far less expensive for carriers to install a fiber ring thento deploy point-to-point links. Consider, for example, a rural route,where linking remote terminals to a central office in a point-to-pointapplication would require six multiplexers—one at each site and at theCentral Office (CO) for each route—and six fibers, two to each site. Ina ring topology, all that is required is one multiplexer at the CO andtwo fibers that go through a multiplexer at each site for a total offour multiplexers and two fibers. Significantly, in the ring topology,working or service traffic is routed in one direction only. If thatfiber fails, traffic is rerouted on a protection fiber to flow in theopposite direction. In this manner, working traffic bypasses the failureto get to its proper destination.

Against this background, it is readily seen that there is significantdebate in the communications industry regarding the type and location ofrings, and in particular, Self-Healing Rings (SHR) to deploy. As thoseskilled in the art will recognize, the directionality of service routingand the protection mechanism are key attributes that distinguishdifferent self-healing ring architectures. For example, a unidirectionalring routes service traffic in only one direction of the ring. On theother hand, a bidirectional ring routes the components of a duplexcircuit in opposite directions on the ring. Similarly, in apath-switched ring, traffic is protected on a per path basis, and theswitching is based on the health of each individual path where it exitsthe ring. Still further, in a line-switched ring, switching is based onthe health of the line between each pair of nodes. Thus, when a line isfaulty, the entire line is switched off to a protection loop at thefailure's boundaries.

The method and system of this example of the present invention utilizesselected mixed-integer programs to efficiently model the informationobtained during the iterative steps of the present invention incooperation with a computer having sufficient memory. Such steps includethe determination of nodes within the SONET under review, identificationof the number of periods within the selected time interval, thedetermination of demand between nodes over this time period, preferablyin units of DS3, and the determination of discounted add-drop costs fora plurality of selected Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADM's) and relatedcomponents based upon projected availability. If the number of nodesunder review is small, once this information is determined, then theoptimized discounted fixed and interconnection costs for this pluralityof ADM's may be determined in accordance with a first selected mixedinteger program. An electrical signal may thereafter be generated forreceipt by the computer memory corresponding to a set of logicalself-healing rings with preliminary, albeit detailed, routinginformation. In contrast, when the number of nodes under review islarge, a heuristic approach is required.

In the heuristic approach, the user is required to load traffic toexisting rings by repetitively identifying the smallest point-to-pointdemand between nodes on existing rings and assigning this demand to therings until no demand left may be routed. Thereafter, a proposed ring iscreated by identifying the greatest unsatisfied point-to-point demandbetween two adjacent nodes and assigning the nodes to the ring. At thispoint, new proposed rings may either be randomly generated until alldemand has been satisfied or, in the alternative, existing rings may beexpanded. If the latter step is selected, expansion is carried out byrepetitively calculating the largest unsatisfied demand of neighbornodes for each of the proposed rings and identifying a plurality ofneighbor nodes having the greatest unsatisfied demand. At that point, adetermination may be made regarding the deficit of each of the proposedrings as well as the identification of a plurality of proposed ringswith the greatest deficit.

Finally, one of the rings with the greatest deficit may be assigned toone of the neighbor nodes and inter-ring traffic may be loaded until alldemand has been routed. Traffic is loaded through a process ofrepetitively identifying demand that can be routed the greatest distancethrough the smallest number of proposed rings and assigning that demandaccordingly. At this point, an electrical signal is summarily generatedalso for receipt by said computer memory and corresponding to a set oflogical self-healing rings with preliminary routing information.

Once logical rings have been determined, whether in accordance with amixed integer program or through repetitive iterations such as in theheuristic approach, the placement of physical self-healing rings andoptimal traffic routing may thereafter be determined by retrieving thelogical SHR and preliminary routing information from memory andmaximizing the percentage of demand covered and minimizing the totalinter-ring traffic cost. This is accomplished through modeling the samein accordance with yet another mixed integer program and generating acorresponding electrical signal for receipt by said computer memory.

Demand and Supply Planning 1210

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18illustrates a flowchart for a process 1800 for demand and supplyplanning utilizing a network where information from one or more serviceproviders relating to demand of the service providers is receivedutilizing the network in operation 1802. Received in operation 1804utilizing the network is information from one or more manufacturersrelating to the available supply of manufacturer offerings. The supplyand demand for manufacturer offerings are compared to one another inoperation 1806 and this comparison is used in operation 1808 to planfuture supply and demand for the manufacturer offerings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, collaborative forecasting mayalso be facilitated between service providers and manufacturersutilizing the network. In another embodiment of the present invention,collaborative network roll-out and planning utilizing the network may befacilitated between service providers and manufacturers. As an option, aroll-out planning tool may be provided for facilitating collaborativenetwork roll-out and planning between the service providers and themanufacturers utilizing the network. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the supply of manufacturer offerings betweenmanufacturers and service providers may be coordinated utilizing thenetwork. In such an embodiment, a supply chain planning tool may beprovided for coordinating the supply of manufacturer offerings betweenthe manufacturers and the service providers utilizing the network.

In even another embodiment of the present invention, collaborativecapacity planning may also be facilitated between service providers andmanufacturers utilizing the network. In one aspect of this embodiment, aproduction planning tool may be provided for facilitating thecollaborative capacity planning. In yet a further embodiment of thepresent invention, reverse inventory management may be conducted betweenthe at least one service provider and the at least one manufacturerutilizing the network. Also, the sharing of technology between serviceproviders and manufacturers may be facilitated utilizing the network.

One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is adapted primarilyfor monitoring and controlling customer power demand in a utility suchas electric, gas, and water. In particular, this embodiment of thepresent invention is designed for the collection and transmission ofuser demand requirements and the control of user demand for utilityservices.

Domestic residential demand for electric power is growing atapproximately 2% annually. Although utility companies can maintain pacewith this growth by constructing more peaking and power plants, this isnot necessarily in the best interest of the utility companies andsociety at large. The factors of cost, fuel availability, andenvironmental concerns of both the utility company and the public ingeneral have prompted a shift of emphasis from building additionalgeneration capacity for satisfying the increasing demand to developingand employing a method and means of efficiency improvements, productionfacility optimization, and electrical conservation through demand sidemanagement. Implicit in this is the fact that not all electric powercosts the same to generate. Power generated during peak times is moreexpensive than “base-line” power. For demand side management, utilitycompanies will charge on a cost basis rather than an average use basisthat has existed in the past.

Heretofore, systems have been proposed for communicating utility usageat a customer's home to a central office. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,086,434 discloses a remote condition reporting system including amicroprocessor with memory and a firmware program, telephone dialingequipment, a clock, and a plurality of inputs from meter readings andthe outputs of sensors. The system initiates telephone calls to theutility company central offices at predetermined intervals to reportutility usage including time of day power usage metering.

This embodiment of the present invention includes a monitoring andcontrol system in which communication occurs through a fully distributeddigital telecommunications switch without a centralized routing andhandling facility. The distribution network is deployable to largenumbers of residential and commercial customers for bi-directionalreal-time communication. While initially designed for use with anelectric power utility, the invention is applicable in monitoring andcontrolling demand for other utilities such as gas or water, as well asfor data services.

A controlled load management and feedback system includes a powercompany central computer facility, a plurality of home monitoring andcontrol networks, and one or more wide band distribution networksinterconnecting home monitoring and control networks and the centralcomputer facility. The distribution networks connect to one or morecentral computer systems through substation gateways via high-speeddigital lines.

The home monitoring and control network is located and operated withinthe power utility customer's home and includes electrical control,monitoring, and measurement devices which allow the utility to monitorelectrical consumption in real time, assist the customer in optimizingelectrical power consumption, and communicate real-time consumption andchanges in consumption to the power utility via the distributionnetwork. Further, the home network permits automatic meter reading andremote service disconnect and reconnect.

The distribution network includes a wire-based (hybrid fiber/coaxialcable) distribution system and an intelligent utility unit (IUU), whichinterfaces with the home network. The IUU controls, communicates, andconfigures devices within the home network, and communicates informationfrom the home network back to the utility central computer via thedistribution system. The distribution network is configured in cells orsmall hubs which support 250-2,000 users at a time.

The utility central computer includes a T-based communication digitalbackbone network which communicates with a distribution network throughgateways typically located within a power substation. The backbonenetwork consolidates traffic from different substations and routes thetraffic to the utility host computer, thus providing access to everyuser on the system. The host computer is able to forecast trends andpredict when demand will exceed supply, thus allowing corrective actionto be taken. The computer can also generate reports for utilitymanagement and consumers showing usage and savings through demandmanagement.

Order Management 1212

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart for a methodology 1900 for managingorders in a network-based supply chain in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. When a request for an order is received from aservice provider in operation 1902, the request is subsequentlytransmitted to one or more manufacturers in operation 1904. A network isutilized in operation 1906 to receive information from the manufacturerrelating to the status of the completing of the order by themanufacturer. The manufacture's progress in completing the order istracked in operation 1908 based on the information received from themanufacturer. Periodic progress reports are generated from the trackingand then transmitted to the service provider utilizing the network inoperations 1910 and 1912.

In an aspect of the present invention, the order request may be receivedfrom the service provider utilizing the network. Similarly, in anotheraspect of the present invention, the requested order may be transmittedto the at least one manufacture utilizing the network. As an option, anorder tracking tool may be provided from tracking the completion of theorder.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the network may also beutilized to receive information from suppliers of the manufacturerrelating to the status of delivering supplies to the manufacturer aswell as to track the progress in supplying the manufacturer based on theinformation received from the at least one supplier. In such anembodiment, the periodic progress reports may also include informationrelating to the tracking of the at least one supplier. In yet a furtheraspect of the present invention, a network operations link may beprovided for linking to the at least one service provider and the atleast one manufacturer.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention unitarily andautomatically manages ordering processes based on order informationsupplied by a particular department or section. In order to achievethis, there is provided an order management system for automaticallyplacing an order with one of a plurality of suppliers when orderinformation is input by one of a plurality of orderers.

Accordingly, this embodiment of the present invention includes aterminal unit provided to each of the orderers. The terminal unitincludes means for inputting the order information, which is thentransmitted to a communication network. A central management unitreceives the order information from the terminal unit through thecommunication network. The central management unit includes collectionprocessing means for managing order history information and sectioninformation with respect to each orderer. The collection processingmeans calculates a total cost of previous orders based on the orderhistory information of one of the orderers sending the order informationand order information sent from the one of the orderers. The centralmanagement unit also includes order permission means for permitting anexecution of an ordering process when the calculated total of thepreviously ordered costs is within a budget of the orderer. The budgetmay be included in the section information.

Since an ordering process is executed only when the total cost of theprevious orders for each of the orderers which may correspond to eachdepartment or section in a company, each department or section placingan order can be prevented from exceeding their budget.

The central management unit may further include a supplier selectingprocess for calculating a total cost of previously received order foreach of the suppliers based on the order history information and theorder information, and for selecting one of the suppliers whose totalcost of previously received orders is within an order limit. Thus,exceeding the order limit previously set to each of the suppliers isprevented.

Additionally, the supplier selecting process may select one of thesuppliers based on the order history information so that each of thesuppliers equally receives orders. Optionally, the supplier selectingprocess manages supplier information including an order prohibition flagwhich represents a prohibition of placing an order with a supplierindicated by the order prohibition flag. As another option, the supplierselecting process selects one of the suppliers offering the lowest pricewhen an item to be ordered is supplied by a plurality of suppliers.

The order management system according to the present invention mayfurther comprise an ordering process for placing an order through thecommunication network with the suppliers based on the order information.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ordermanagement process automatically places an order with one of a pluralityof suppliers when order information is input by one of a plurality oforderers. The order management process is performed in an ordermanagement system which has a plurality of terminal units provided tothe respective orderers and a central management unit connected to eachof the terminal units. During the management process, order informationfrom one of the terminal units us sent to the central management unit. Atotal cost of previous orders is calculated based on order historyinformation of one of the orderers sending the order information andorder information sent from the one of orderers by managing the orderhistory information and section information with respect to each of theorderers. An execution of an ordering process is permitted when thecalculated total cost of previous orders is within a budget of theorderer. The budget may be included in the section information.

According to this embodiment of the invention, since an ordering processis executed only when the total cost of the previous orders for each ofthe orderers which may correspond to each department or section in acompany, each department or section placing an order is prevented fromexceeding their budget.

Optionally, the order management process may include calculating a totalcost of previously received orders for each of the suppliers based onthe order history information and the order information as well asselecting one of the suppliers whose calculated total cost of previouslyreceived orders is within an order limit. Thus, exceeding the orderlimit previously set to each of the suppliers can be prevented.

Additionally, the order management process may further include selectingthe one of the suppliers based on the order history information so thateach of the suppliers equally receives orders. As an option, an order tobe placed with a supplier may be prohibited by indication by an orderprohibition flag included in supplier information. As another option,one of the suppliers offering the lowest price may be selected when anitem to be ordered is supplied by a plurality of suppliers. As yetanother option, the order management process may further includeautomatically placing an order with the suppliers based on the orderinformation through a communication network connecting the centralmanagement unit to each of the suppliers. It should be noted that theorder management process may be performed by a combination of a generalpurpose computer and a processor readable medium such as a memoryprovided in the computer or a CD-ROM, disk, tape, etc. which storesprogram information used by the computer.

Network Asset Management 1214

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for a process 2000 for managing assetsin a network-based supply chain in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Utilizing a network, information is receivedinformation from at least one service provider in operation 2002. Thisinformation includes information relating to present network assets ofthe service provider. Information is also received utilizing the networkfrom at least one manufacturer in operation 2004. The information fromthe manufacturers includes information relating to present networkassets of the manufacturers. In operation 2006, a determination is madefor optimal network assets needed for the service provider andmanufacturer based on the present network assets of service provider andthe manufacturer. Based on this determination, the optimizing of thenetwork assets is managed in operation 2008.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the life cycle of networkassets of the service providers and the manufacturers may also bemanaged utilizing the network. In an aspect of this embodiment, a lifecycle management model may be utilized for managing the life cycle ofthe network assets. In an additional embodiment of the presentinvention, the sharing of technology between the service providers andthe manufacturers may be facilitated utilizing the network utilizing thenetwork.

In another embodiment of the present invention, network assets of theservice providers and the manufacturers may be tracked utilizing thenetwork. The network assets may be tracked according to: growth of thenetwork asset, capacity of the network asset, technological level of thenetwork asset, and/or amount of the network asset. In one aspect of thisembodiment of the present invention, an asset tracking tool may beutilized for tracking the network assets.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the roll-out ofservices provided by the service providers and manufacturer offeringsprovided by the manufacturers may be managed utilizing the network basedon the received present network asset information. In such anembodiment, a roll-out planning tool may be utilized for managing theroll-out of services provided by the service providers and manufacturerofferings provided by the manufacturers.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail herein, it should be understood that the presentinvention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the presentexamples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

1. In a contract: manufacturing framework, a method of providing accessto manufacturing services and manufacturing management services that canbe contracted, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing asystem database including a plurality of category databases, thecategory databases including at least a contracts database, an industrydatabase, and a bench marking database, wherein each of the categorydatabases include a plurality of Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structures, wherein each Contract Manufacturing Organization datastructure includes a description of a particular Contract ManufacturingOrganization and manufacturing services provided by the ContractManufacturing Organization that can be contracted for, and wherein thedatabase further includes a plurality of hyperlinks to information; (b)identifying a particular Contract Manufacturing Organization datastructure based on request data from a user's terminal wherein therequest data includes a type of inquiry and is provided to the systemdatabase that utilizes one of the category databases to process therequest data based on the type of inquiry in the request data; (c)identifying a particular hyperlink based on the requested data; (d)sending the user the identified Contract Manufacturing Organization datastructure so as to identify to the user a particular ContractManufacturing Organization, and sending the user the identifiedhyperlink; (e) allowing the user to obtain additional information aboutthe Contract Manufacturing Organization identified by the Contractmanufacturing Organization data structure utilizing the identifiedhyperlink; (f) receiving order information at a Central management unitterminal for a new order from the user's terminal for manufacturingservices from a particular Contract Manufacturing Organization stored inthe category databases; (g) checking budget constraints at the Centralmanagement unit terminal, wherein budget constraints are calculated bycomparing cost of the new order plus past order costs against anordering budget to determine whether the cost of the new order wouldexceed the ordering budget; and (h) the Central management unit terminalplacing the new order for manufacturing services with the particularContract Manufacturing Organization if the cost of the new order iswithin the budget constraints.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein the Contract Manufacturing Organization data structures furtherinclude data concerning legal services.
 3. A method as recited in claim1, wherein the identified hyperlink is capable of being utilized toobtain information concerning patent licensing.
 4. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the identified hyperlink is capable of beingutilized to obtain information concerning multi-country licensing.
 5. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the database is accessed utilizinga network.
 6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network is theInternet.
 7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable mediumfor providing access to manufacturing services and manufacturingmanagement services that can be contracted, in a contract manufacturingframework comprising: (a) a code segment for providing a system databaseincluding a plurality of category databases, the category databasesincluding at least a contracts database, an industry database, and abench marking database, wherein each of the category data bases includea plurality of Contract Manufacturing Organization data structures,wherein each Contract Manufacturing Organization data structure includesa description of a particular Contract Manufacturing Organization andmanufacturing services provided by the Contract ManufacturingOrganization that can be contracted for, and wherein the databasefurther includes a plurality of hyperlinks to information; (b) a codesegment for identifying a particular Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structure based on request data from a user wherein the requestdata includes a type of inquiry and is provided to the system databasethat utilizes one of the category databases to process the request databased on the type of inquiry in the request data; (c) identifying aparticular hyperlink based on the requested data; (d) a code segment forsending the user the Identified Contract Manufacturing Organization datastructure and so as to identify to the user a particular ContractManufacturing Organization, and sending the user the Identifiedhyperlink; (e) a code segment for allowing the user to obtain additionalinformation about the Contract Manufacturing Organization identified bythe Contract manufacturing Organization data structure utilizing theidentified hyperlink; (f) a code segment for receiving order informationfor a new order from the user for manufacturing services from aparticular Contract Manufacturing Organization stored in the categorydatabases; (g) a code segment for checking budget constraints, whereinbudget constraints are calculated by comparing cost of the new orderplus past order costs against an ordering budget to determine whetherthe cost of the new order would exceed the ordering budget; and (h) acode segment for placing the new order for manufacturing services withthe particular Contract Manufacturing Organization if the cost of thenew order is within the budget constraints.
 8. A computer program asrecited in claim 7, wherein the Contract Manufacturing Organization datastructures further include data concerning legal services.
 9. A computerprogram as recited in claim 7, wherein the identified hyperlink iscapable of being utilized to obtain information concerning patentlicensing.
 10. A computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein theidentified hyperlink is capable of being utilized to obtain informationconcerning multi-country licensing.
 11. A computer program as recited inclaim 7, wherein the database is accessed utilizing a network.
 12. Acomputer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the network is theInternet.
 13. In a contract manufacturing framework, a method ofproviding access to manufacturing services and manufacturing managementservices that can be contracted, comprising the steps of: (a) providinga system database including a plurality of category databases, thecategory databases including at least a contracts database, an industrydatabase, and a bench marking database, wherein each of the categorydatabases include a plurality of Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structures, wherein each Contract manufacturing Organization datastructure includes a description of a particular Contract ManufacturingOrganization and descriptions of manufacturing services provided by theManufacturing Organization that can be contracted for; (b) receivingrequest data concerning a desired manufacturing service from a user'sterminal wherein the request data includes a type of inquiry and isprovided to the system database that utilizes one of the categorydatabases to process the request data based on the type of inquiry inthe request data; (c) querying the category databases using the requestdata to determine a subset of qualified Contract ManufacturingOrganizations from the plurality of Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structures; (d) identifying a particular Contract ManufacturingOrganization data structure based on said desired manufacturing serviceso as to identify to the user a particular Contract ManufacturingOrganization from the subset of qualified Contract ManufacturingOrganization capable of providing said desired manufacturing service;(e) sending the user the identified Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structure; (f) receiving order information at a Central managementunit terminal for a new order from the user for manufacturing servicesfrom a particular Contract Manufacturing Organization stored in thecategory databases; (g) checking budget constraints at the Centralmanagement unit terminal, wherein budget constraints are calculated bycomparing cost of the new order plus past order costs against anordering budget to determine whether the cost of the new order wouldexceed the ordering budget; and (h) the Central management unit terminalplacing the new order for manufacturing services with the particularContract Manufacturing Organization if the cost of the new order iswithin the budget constraints.
 14. A method as recited in claim 13,wherein the Contract Manufacturing Organization data structures furtherinclude data concerning legal services.
 15. A method as recited in claim13, wherein the request data includes data concerning pharmaceuticals.16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the database is accessedutilizing a network.
 17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein thenetwork is the Internet.
 18. A method as recited in claim 13, whereineach Contract Manufacturing Organization data structure further includesa hyperlink to information; and wherein the step of sending the user theidentified Contract Manufacturing Organization data structure comprisessending the hyperlink as part of the Contract Manufacturing Organizationdata structure.